Casting apparatus.



No. 790,544. PATEN'TED MAY, 23, 1905.

W. s, WESTON. CASTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION rum) Jun 20,1904.

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Inventor W 1' fnesse;

No. 790,544. PATENTED MAY 23, 1905. W. s. WESTON. CASTING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20,1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Wifr'tesaea QM Wu PATENTED MAY 23, 1905. W. s. WESTON. I CASTING, APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20,1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

l W t n e W I v MtHJJJ-T- No. 790,544. PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

s. WESTON. I

CASTING APPARATUS.

APPLIOA'IIOII I'ILED JUNE 20,1904.

M v 4 SHEETS SHEE T a UNITED v STATES Patented May 23, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM S. WESTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CASTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 790,544, dated May 23, 1905.

Application filed June 20, 1904- Serial No. 213.209.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM S. WESTON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Casting Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention has relation to that class of casting apparatus in which the casting' is effected by means of aplurality of movable molds formed of separable sections adapted to be brought together to receive the fluid metal from which the castings are to be formed and adapted to be opened in order to eject the castings therefrom.

The invention consists in the features of improvement hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointedout in the claims at the end of this specification.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation. Fig. 3 is a view in vertical cross-section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view in longitudinal section through the delivery-hopper, certain of the subjacent parts being shown in side elevation. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view showing a portion of the molds with a metal plate (on which the casting is to be made) in position upon the bottom chain. Fig. 6 is a view in horizontal section through a pair of the side sections of one of the molds. Fig. 7 is a detail side view of one of the moldblocks E with the finished casting in position with respect thereto. Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of a rail-brace made upon the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6. Fig. 9 is a side-view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the mold-block as adapted for making a slightly-modified form of rail-brace. Fig. 10 is a detail plan view of the modified form of rail-brace shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a plan view of a modified form of the apparatus. Fig. 12is an enlarged view, in vertical cross-section, on line 12 12 of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 1 1 is a detail side view of one of the molds shown in Fig. 11. Fig.

15 is a detail elevation showing the working face of one ofthe side sections of the molds shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 16 is a View in vertical cross-section on line 16 16 of Fig. 13. Fig.

17 is a view in side elevation of a further modified form of apparatus embodying the invention. Fig. 18 is a view in vertical crosssection on line 18 18 of Fig. 17. Fig. 19 is a view in side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 20., Fig. 20 is a detail plan V16W' of one ofthe bottom sections of the mold with one of the side sections of the mold in position thereon. Fig. 21 is a detail plan view showing a form of brake-shoe for the manufacture of which the apparatus illustrated on Sheet 4: is especially adapted.

Referring more particularly to the embodiment of my invention illustrated upon Sheets 1. and 2 of the drawings, A designates the sides of the main frame of the machine, these sides being for convenience illustrated as extending along the edges of a pit B, (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings,) that will permit the free passage of the vertically-movable molds along the bottom of the main frame. Manifestly,however,if themain frame were made .higher the pit need not be used. In suitable bearings at the end of the main frame are journaled the shafts a and a, the shaft (0 being provided with suitable meansas, for example, a pulley a whereby it may be driven. Upon each of the shafts a and a is mounted a sprocket-drum C, the periphery of which is provided with recesses 0, adapted to receive the link-lugs of the vertically-movable mold-chain. The links D of this vertically-movable mold-chain are hinged together, as at d, one of the links being formed with plural lugs adapted to straddle a central lug on the next adjoining link, these lugs being fastened together by a bolt, as indicated in the drawings. As shown, each of the links D has connected thereto the mold-section E, adapted to form part of the mold wherein the casting will be made. For certain classes of work the mold-sections E are hinged to the links D and, as shown, each of the links D is formed at its end with a raised lug d, that sits within a recess in the adjacent mold-section E, the mold-section E being pivoted to the lug cl by the bolt 0 in manner permitting the mold-section. E to turn from a vertical to a horizontal position, as will hereinafter more fully appear. The chain formed of the links D will move over the inwardly extending portions f of guide-bars F, that extend lengthwise of the main frame and are supported by the cross-bars or castings Gr and G, that are bolted to the sides A of the main frame. The guide-plates F, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. are separated a suflieient distance for the passage between them of the hinge-lugs of the links D, and the central portions of the bars G and Gr will be bowed downwardly to afford space for the passage of these lugs. From the sides A of the main frame rise journal studs or shafts /L, on which are revolubly mounted the sprocket-drums H, a pair of these drums H being mounted on each side of the main frame, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. Each of the drums H is formed with a number of pockets adapted to receive the hinge-lugs of the horizontally-movable mold-chains Jand J. 'The mold-chains J and J are formed of a plurality of links K, that form sections of the molds in which the castings will be made. As shown, the links K are formed with hinge-lugs that are connected together by a pivot-pin j, and each of the moldlinksKis shown as havingitsworkingface provided with a recess to form part of the mold in which the casting is to be made. Preferably each of the links K is chambered from end to end, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, to receive a mold-block K, that may be formed of hard metal, and the spaces at the ends of the block K serve to receive the blocks E, that are carried by the links or bottom mold-sections D. The blocks K may be secured to the mold links or sections K by screws k (see Fig. 4:) or in any other convenient manner. The working face of each of the mold-blocks K will be shaped in correspondence with the particular form of casting to be made. Manifestly, if desired, the blocks K may be omitted and the cavities for the metal may be formed directly in the faces of the links or mold-sections K. When the links or side mold-seetions are in closed or working position, (see Fig. 3,) each of the mold-blocks E has its forward end inclosed in the space formed in the mold-sections K near the rear of the opposing mold-blocks K, and it will thus be seen that each mold is formed of a plurality of separable sections, which will be held together during the casting operation, but which, as will presently appear, will be positively opened when the castings are to be discharged. In Fig. 4 the relative working position of the side and bottom mold-sections and of the blocks E is shown, one of the side mold-sections being removed, and a like position of the same parts is illustrated in plan in Fig. 5. As shown, the working face of each of the sections K and of its mold-block K is provided adjacent one end with the gate channel or groove 1" and adjacent its opposite end with the vent channel or groove if, these channels or grooves being adapted to coincide when the mold-blocks of the horizontal chain-links are in working position, as indicated in the drawings, and each of the channels or grooves Z and Zflead down from the top of the mold to the bottom cavity that is formed in the mold-blocks K. The flat top of each of the links K is preferably recessed from end to end to receive a plate K, of asbestos cement or like fireproof material of poor conductivity, the purpose of which will presently appear. The bars G, extending between the sides A of the main frame, are shown as provided with standards r between the tops of which extend the transverse bars g. These transverse bars /7 have bolted to their under sides the guide-bars Gr of angular shape and adapted to set over the upper edges of the molds K when the latter are in working position. Upon the guide-bars (1? is bolted, as at m, the expanded base-plate m of the open-bottom hopper M, that is preferably provided with a suitable refractory lining m, extending to the bottom of the hopper and adapted to contact with the tops of the nonconducting plates K carried by the links K. The opening at the lower end of the hopper M is of large size, and the hopper forms a close joint with the asbestos blocks or plates K on the top of the mold-sections -K, which thus close the open bottom of the hopper. My object in providing the hopper M with a wide-open bottom and closing this bottom by the non-conducting fireproof blocks K is to insure a full flow ofmetal to the molds and prevent the chilling or freezing of the metal during the intervals between the flow of metal from the hopper into the molds. If the fluid metal in the bottom of the hopper rested directly upon a chilling-surface, there would be danger of the metal freezing up, as the rush of metal into the molds at intervals would not be sufficient to maintain it in fluid condition. .I uasmuch as the hopper M is bolted to the bars G, it will be seen that thehopper can be removed and replaced at any time with but little delay. By reference more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings it will be seen that at the front and rear of the hopper hi there are provided boxes N and N, adapted to receive powdered graphite or like heat-resisting lubricant. The bottoms of the boxes N and N are perforated, as at n, and within chambers 92, formed in the bottom of each box, are mounted the vertical feedscrews n, that will serve to force the graphite or like material through the perforation n of the boxes N and N and down onto the blocks K of the links K. The shafts of the feed-screws n are journaled in lugs a" within the boxes N and N, and to each of these shafts is fixed a small worm-wheel a", that is engaged by a worm-shaft '22 that extends through the lubricant-box and is provided at its outerend with suitable driving means-such, for example, as a pulley n.

The apparatus illustrated upon Sheets 1 and 2 of the drawings is more especially designed for the casting of railway rail-braces of the peculiar construction illustrated more particularly in Figs. 8 and 10 of the drawings. This rail-brace comprises a bottom plate P, preferably of wrought metal, having upwardly-extending lugs or projections 19 adjacent one end, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and having a brace-body P cast on the projection, the bottom plate P being formed also with a perforation and with notches to receive the spikes whereby it will be attached to the railway tie. The apparatus hereinbefore described is furnished with mold-sections more especially adapted for casting the brace-body P onto the base-plate P in forming this construction of rail-braces, and the cavities of the various mold-sections are shaped to adapt them for this specific purpose. It will be understood, however, that in forming other articles the mold-sections will have the cavities of the working faces correspondingly varied to adapt them for the particular articles to be cast.

The Working faces of the hinged moldblocks E might be formed of the shape indicated in the drawings; but, as shown, I prefer to form one end of each of the mold-blocks E with a vertical recess 0 (see Fig. 5) and to set within such recess a block or plate E, having a projecting part 0 corresponding in shape to the head, and a projecting part 6*, corresponding in shape to the base-flange of the railway-rail for which the rail-braces to be cast are especially designed. Preferably the cavity in the end of each of the mold-blocks E is dovetailed, and the back of the moldplate E is correspondingly dovetailed to sit within said cavity, so that when rail-braces for rails of different contour are to be formed the plates E can be withdrawn and other mold-plates substituted therefor. Each of the mold-blocks E is shown as formed with a recess 6 adapted to receive the base-plate P of .the rail-brace when the mold-block E is turned down to operative position, as shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The rail-brace shown in Figs. 9 and 10 has a bottom plate P that is short and is'not adapted to extend beneath the railway-rail. Consequently in forming this modified construction of rail-brace the block E (shown in Fig. 9) does not need to have its bottom recessedthat is to say, the difference between the blocks E, Fig. 7,'and E, Fig. 9, is the omission of the recess 6?, so that the bottom of the plate P Figs. 9 and 10, will be on a level with the base-flange e The drums H of the horizontal chains J and J will be driven in unison with. the drums C of the vertically-movable mold-chain; but I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate the drive mechanism, as any suitable mechanism may be employed for this purpose.

The operation of the apparatus above described will be seen to be as follows, it being assumed that the several mold chains are driven in the direction of the arrows shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings: The baseplates P of the rail-braces to be formed will be placed in position upon the upper faces of thelinks D of the vertically-movable chain, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, and fluid metal will be delivered to the hopper M in quantity sufiicient to approximately fill the hopper. It will be observed that the hopper M is of considerable height and capacity, the purpose being to afford a sufficient head of metal for rapid operation and forinsuring the delivery of the metal to the molds under sufiicient pressure to quickly fill the molds and expel the air and gases therefrom. By placing the discharge end of the hopper M in direct contact with blocks K of the mold-sections the danger of the chilling of the metal before it enters the molds is avoided. After therail-brace plates P have been placed in position, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the mold blocks or sections E will be successively turned down ward over the plates P, and as the mold-sections E are carried forward by the links D they will pass between and have their forward portions received by the recessed portions of the mold-links K, the working faces of which will close together, as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. When the mold-sections E are thus engaged by the working faces of the mold-links K, each pair of links K and mold-sections E form a separate and distinct mold, in which a rail brace will be cast, and the cavity within the mold thus formed by these several parts will be of such contour as to give to the rail-brace the desired form or (rmttatz's mutandt's) to give to any other article that may be cast its required shape. As these molds pass beneath the hop per M fluid metal will flow under the pres sure of the head of metal within the hopper down through the gate channels or grooves of each mold and into its cavity, quickly filling the cavity and causing the cast metal to set about the projecting lugs or fins 29 (see Figs. 4 and 5) of the base-plates P. As the moldlinks and mold-sections pass from beneath the hopper and the links K pass around the drums H the molds formed by the links and the mold sections are opened, and the castings will drop away at the end of the machine. As the mold-links K come together and pass beneath the hopper M to receive their charge of fluid metal therefrom the bars G serve to guide and hold the links with their working faces closely together, and the feed-screws n in lubricant-boxes N force IIO &

lubricant onto the tops of the link-molds K. The holes in the bottom of the lubricantchambers are preferably arranged out of alinement, so as to insure a distribution of the graphite, soapstone, or like lubricant over the tops of the molds. The purpose of forcing the graphite or like material down onto the molds is more particularly to close the joints between the tops of the molds and the lower face of the hopper-base, and thus guard against any possibility of the fluid metal passing into such joints. When the gate-channel or pouring-duct it" (which is arranged in adv Vance of the vent-duct first comes beneath the open bottom of the hopper, the vent-duct is still open to the air, Fig. 4:, so that as the fluid metal rushes into the gate by force of gravity the air and gases in the mold-cavity are easily expelled. The vent-duct is made small in cross-section, so as to chill the metal as it rises in it, and thus prevents an overflow. The size of the gate or pouring-duct and the speed of the moving mold may be regulated so that the vent-duct will pass beneath the box N and be closed before it is quite filled with the metal. The gate and vent-ducts being formed in the parting of the separable mold-sections, the metal which is left in them will fall away with the casting at the end of the machine.

In the form of the invention shown upon Sheet 3 of the drawings the main frame is the same as that above described, and the hopper M, the lubricant-boxes N N, and the devices therein are also the same. In this modified apparatus, however, other means are employed for operating the various mold-sections. The bottom portions of the mold-sections shown on Sheet 3 of the drawings comprise links D hinged as at (Z and forming a chain that passes around the sprocket-drums C. Each of the links D has pivoted upon its upper face at its forward end a mold-block E, the construction and mode of operation of which are the same as that before described. In the upper face of each of the links D are formed dovetailed grooves 2, in which fit dovetailed ribs 3, projecting from the bottoms of the side moldsections K Each of the side mold-sections IQ has projecting therefrom a lug or stud 4, with downwardly extending pins 5 6, that straddle an angular guide-bar R, one of these guide-bars being located at each side of the main frame and extending around the frame, as shown in Figs. 11 and 13 of the drawings. The guide-bars B have their upper central portions bent inwardly, as at 9. (see Figs. 11, 12,) so that as the side mold-sections K are moved in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 11, the working faces of the side mold-sections K will be caused to come together and inclose the forward portions of the mold-blocks E in order to complete the mold-chamber in which the casting is to be made, it being understood that the side mold sections are carried forward by reason of their connection with the chain-links D. By reference to Fig. 11 it will also be seen that as the side moldsections K pass beyond the central upper portion of the machine and away from beneath the hopper M the expanded parts r of the guide-bars R will cause the side mold-sections K to be drawn apart, thereby permitting the casting to drop from the mold as the chainlinks D pass down around the drum 0 at the discharge end of the machine. In this construction, as in that hereinbefore described, angular bars G extend along the upper central portion of the machine to engage and hold the upper portions of the side mold-sections K1 during the casting operation. Each of the side mold-sections K is suitably formed with a mold-chamber, the shape of which will correspond with the particular casting to be made. As shown, each side mold-section K" is formed with a cavityin which is set a metal block K the working face of which is chambered to receive the fluid metal of which the casting is to be formed, and through the working face of each of the blocks K extend vertical grooves or channels k and X2 that constitute, respectively, the gates and vent-holes for the mold. The blocks K may be held within the cavities of the side mold-sections K by screws or in any other convenient manner. In this construction, as in that hereinbefore described, the upper faces of the side mold-sections K" are preferably provided with blocks K of asbestos cement or like material of low conductivity. By reference to Fig. 16 of the drawings it will be seen that the sides A of the main frame extend along the sides of a pit B, so as to give clearance for the mold-sections, although such pit would not be necessary if the height of the main frame be increased. By reference to Fig. 16 also it will be seen that rails 8 extend along the bottom of the pit B, and upon the tops of these rails 8 will travel the lugs 41. of the side mold-sections K as the mold-sections move around the lower part of the main frame.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated upon Sheet 1 of the drawings the main frame, the hopper, and various other parts bearing like characters of reference correspond to the parts hereinbefore described. In this embodiment of the invention, however, modified means are used for opening and closing the side sections of the molds. Referring to the construction shown upon Sheet +1 of the drawings, the vertically-movable mold-chain is shown as consisting of links D, that are hinged together at (,Z in the same manner as the chain-links hereinbefore described, these links forming a chain that is driven by sprocketdrums C O at the ends of the main frame. In

this form of the invention the apparatus is shown as more especially designed for the casting of composite railway-brake shoes; but it is manifest that by varying the shape of the mold-sections K cavities in the working faces of the several mold-sections any desired form of castings may be made. The links D are formed with I laterally-extending lugs 10, between which are pivoted upon pins 11 the angular lugs 12. that projectlaterally and downwardly from the side mold-sections K are formed with lateral arms or extensions 13, that project beneath angular guide-bars R that pass around the main.

frame of the machine, the guide-bars R being omitted about the central upper portion of the machine, as they are not necessary at construction hereinbefore described, these up per and lower guide-bars serving to hold the mold-sections 1n working position during the castlng operation. In this constructlon, as in that before described-the tops of the mold sections K are provided with blocks or plates of non-conducting material. As shown, the upper face of each of the links D is recessed to receive a bottom mold-block E, that may be conveniently held in position upon the link I D by suitable bolts or screws 15,'(see Fig. 19,)

and the upper face of each of the blocks E is.

curved to give the proper shape to the under Each of the,

side of the brake-shoe'to be east. side mold-sections K is shown as chambered,

' and within each of such chambers is conveniently held, as by screws 17, (see Fig. 19,) a mold-block K the working face of which will be formed with a cavity or recess of proper The working face of each of the the apparatus illustrated upon Sheet A is well adapted, this brake-shoe consisting of a castmetal body 20, having embedded-therein a skeleton 21, of wrought-iron or like material.

In forming this style of brake-shoe the skele- 50 tons 21 will be set upon the bottom moldblocks E, as indicated in Figs. 19 and 20 of the drawings, while the side mold-sections K are in the outwardly-turned or open position. (Shown by dotted lines in Fig. 18 of the drawings.) In orderto form the key-opening 29,

Fig. 21, of the brake-shoe, it is necessary to employ a core 30 and to retain this core during the casting operation. I prefer to form 'one of the blocks K of one of the sidemoldsections K with recesses 31 and 32,'(see Fig.

'19,) into which the core 30 will be set. This core 30 may be of baked sand or of taperedv metal, as desired. By reference to Figs. 17

and 18 of the drawings it will be seen that when the chain formed of the links D is The lugs 12 of the side moved in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 17,

the side mold-sections as theyapproach the upper central portion of the machine are in the wide-open position. (Indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 18.) The attendant will place the skeleton 21 upon the tops of the mold-blocks E as the links move toward the hopper M, and as the arms 13 of the side mold-sections K ride up the front inclines r of the guidebar R the side mold-sections K will be turned from the position shown in dotted lines to the position shown in full lines, Fig. 18. The side mold-sections K then passing beneath and between the guidebars G will be held with their working faces together in position to receive the .charge of molten metal from the hopper M. As the mold-sections pass beneath the hopper M fluid metal will be delivered to the chambers of the molds, and as the mold-sections pass from beneath the hopper the arms 13 of the side mold-sections K will pass beneath the guide-bars R and riding along the downward inclines r of these bars will be forced downward, thereby swinging' the side mold-sections K (after they pass from engagement with the bars G from the closed position shown by fulllines to the wide-open position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 18 of the drawings. The castings will drop from the links D of the chain as the chain passes around the drum C at the discharge end of the main frame. It will be understood that in this construction, as in that hereinbefore described, there will be a pit formed beneath the main frame to permit the passage of the chain-links and parts car-v ried thereby, unless the main frame be sufficiently high to avoid the necessity of using a pit.

ranged above the bottom to travel therewith during the casting operation, the parting-line between said side sections extending in the direction of the path of travel of the mold and means for automatically and positively shifting one at least of the side sections of each mold to open the mold. v

2. A casting apparatus consisting of a plurality of movable molds each comprisinga bottom and side sections mounted above said bottom, the parting-line between said side sections extending in the path of travel of the mold, and one at least of the side sections of each mold being movable laterally and transversely to the path of travel of the mold, and means for positively shifting said movable side sections to open and close the mold.

3. A casting apparatus consisting of a series of movable molds each comprising a bottom and side sections mounted above and arranged ICC to travel with said bottom, the parting-line of said side sections extending in the direction of travel of the molds, means for shifting said side sections laterally and transversely to open the molds, and a hopper arranged above said mold for delivering fluid metal thereto.

4. A casting apparatus having a series of movable molds, each comprising separable side sections and a bottom section and each having an admission-duct and a vent-duct arranged in the rear of said admission-duct in the parting-line between said side sections, and a hopper mounted above said mold-seetions to deliver fluid metal thereto.

5. A casting apparatus having a series of movable molds formed of separable side sections and a bottom section, a pouring gate or duct and a vent-duct in the parting between said side sections, a hopper mounted stationarily above said mold-sections and making a close joint with the upper face thereof, said hopper having a wide open bottom that is closed by the tops of the mold-sections.

6. A casting apparatus having a series of movable molds each comprising a bottom section and a plurality of side sections mounted above and movable together with said bottom section in the direction of the line of travel of the series, one at least of said side sections being movable laterally with respect to the path of travel of the molds, each of said molds being provided with an admission duct or gate formed in the parting between the side sections and a hopper mounted above said molds for delivering metal thereto.

7. A casting apparatus comprising a main frame, a series of movable molds each formed.

with a bottom section and a plurality of separable sections arranged above said bottom section, each mold being provided in the parting-line between the separable sections with a pouring gate or duct and with a vent-duct, a hopper arranged to deliver fluid metal into said pouring-gate and means for the positive and automatic opening of said separable sections along the parting that contains the said ducts, whereby the discharge of the casting and the surplus metal left in the ducts is effected- 8. A casting apparatus having a series of molds each comprising movable upper and bottom sections, said bottom sections consisting of a series of links connected to form a chain, suitable drums for supporting said chain and means for moving said upper sections and said chain in unison and for positively moving said upper sections laterally and transversely to the path of travel of said chain.

9. A casting apparatus comprising a main frame, a series of molds formed of upper and bottom sections, each mold being provided with a gate or pouring-duct in the partingline between two of its sections, a hopper for fluid metal mounted stationarily above said mold-sections and supported to form a close joint with the tops of said mold-sections. means for moving said mold-sections in unison beneath said hopper and means for moving one at least of the upper mold-sections laterally and transversely with respect to the bottom sections in order to open the molds for the discharge of the finished castings and of the metal left in the gate or pouring-duct.

10. A casting apparatus having traveling molds each comprising movable upper and bottom sections, said bottom sections being provided with mold-blocks and said upper sections being chambered to receive the moldblocks carried by the bottom sections.

11. A casting apparatus having a series of molds each comprising movable upper and bottom sections, said bottom sections being provided with mold-blocks hinged thereto and said upper sections chambered to receive the mold-blocks carried by the bottom sections.

12. A casting apparatus having a series of molds each comprising movable upper and bottom sections, said bottom sections being provided with mold-blocks recessed to receive parts to be cast in and said upper sections chambered to receive the mold-blocks carried by the bottom sections.

13. A casting apparatus having a series of molds each comprising separable sections, a hopper mounted above said mold-sections and plates or blocks of non-conducting material at the tops of the mold-sections and serving to close the open bottom of the hopper.

14. A casting apparatus having a series of molds each comprising separable sections provided at their tops with flat plates or blocks of non-conducting material and a hopper having an open bottom mounted immediately above the flat plates or blocks of non-conducting material, the gates of the molds extending through said non-conducting material.

15. A casting apparatus having a series of movable molds, a hopper mounted immediately above said molds and forming a closed joint therewith and means in juxtaposition to said joint for feeding a fireproof lubricant into the joint between the hopper and the tops of the molds.

16. A casting apparatus having a series of molds each comprising movable sections, a hopper mounted immediately above said moldsections and having an opening in its bottom for delivering fluid metal directly to the molds and means for forcing a fireproof lubricant into the joint between the bottom of the hopper and the movable mold-sections.

17. A casting apparatus comprising a main frame, a hopper mounted upon said frame for containing the fluid metal to be cast, said hopper being provided with a wide, open bottom, a series of movable molds arranged to pass beneath said hopper, said main frame being provided with guides for holding the tops of the molds in position to close the hotabove the molds and having a bottom outlet, I

the bottom of said hopper forining a close joint with the uniform surface of said molds and means for maintaining said joint filled With fireproof material.

WILLIAM S. WESTON. Witnesses:

GEO. P. FISHER, J r., ALBERTA ADAMIOK. 

